46 THE SWAN AND HER CREW. 



of day in the country had its natural effect upon them ; and their 

 spirits, which had been somewhat depressed by the uncom- 

 fortable night which they had passed, rose again to their 

 natural height. Dick now suggested that they should again 

 explore the windings of the creek, and try to find out the cause 

 of the mysterious light which had so puzzled them the night 

 before. They accordingly rowed up the lane of water as they 

 had done the previous night, until they came to the piece of 

 open water. Just as they were about to emerge from the 

 narrow opening in the belt of reeds which surrounded it, 

 Frank checked the motion of the boat by clutching hold of 

 the reeds, and warned his companions to be silent. Looking 

 in the direction in which he pointed, they saw the mcst curious 

 bird they had ever seen, or were ever likely to see. On a little 

 hillock on the edge of the reeds was a bird with a body like a 

 thrush, but with long legs. It had a long beak, staring eyes, 

 brown tufts of feathers on each side of its head, and a large 

 flesh-coloured ruff of feathers round its neck. 



" I know what that is ; it is a ruff," said Jimmy. 



" Yes, yes, but be quiet and watch it." 



They drew back behind the green fringe of reeds and 

 watched the movements of the ruff, for such it was. Its move- 

 ments were as strange as itself. It pranced up and down on 

 the little hillock and fluttered its wings, and uttered a defiant 

 cry. It seemed as if it were particularly desirous of attention 

 from one spot in the marsh, for towards that spot its glances 

 and movements were directed. Looking more eagerly towards 

 this spot the boys saw a smaller bird, with no ruff around her 

 neck, and clad in sober brown. This was a female, or reeve, 

 and the male was showing himself off before htr and trying to 

 attract her attention, while she, with the tantalising nature of 

 her sex, appeared to be quite unconscious of his blandishments, 

 and went on composedly picking up her breakfast from the 

 insects and worms in the marsh. Presently another ruff ap- 

 peared on the scene, and, joining his rival on the little hillock, 

 he commenced to emulate his performances, and the two 

 danced a war-dance in the most amusing fashion, to the 

 great delight of the three observers. The natural consequence 

 of this rivalry soon followed, and the two ruffs began to fight 

 in good earnest, laying hold of each other with their bills, and 

 striking with their wings. The one drove the other to the 



